PLASMA LIPID TRANSFER PROTEINS, HIGH-DENSITY LIPOPROTEINS, AND REVERSE CHOLESTEROL TRANSPORT

Abstract
▪ Abstract Cholesteryl ester transfer protein (CETP) and phospholipid transfer protein (PLTP) are members of the lipid transfer/lipopolysaccharide binding protein gene family. Recently, the crystal structure of one of the members of the gene family, bactericidal permeability increasing protein, was solved, providing potential insights into the mechanisms of action of CETP and PLTP. These molecules contain intrinsic lipid binding sites and appear to act as carrier proteins that shuttle between lipoproteins to redistribute lipids. The phenotype of human CETP genetic deficiency states and CETP transgenic mice indicates that CETP plays a major role in the catabolism of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesteryl esters and thereby influences the concentration, apolipoprotein content, and size of HDL particles in plasma. PLTP also appears to have an important role in determining HDL levels and speciation. Recent data indicate that genetic CETP deficiency is associated with an excess of coronary heart disease in...

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